Configuring, optimizing and managing micro-grids

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for controlling electrical distribution grids. The method includes determining premises in an electrical distribution grid that include an energy resource. The method further includes determining a configuration of the electrical distribution grid including a micro-grid, the micro-grid including the one or more premises. The method further includes electrically isolating, monitoring and controlling the micro-grid from the electrical distribution grid through the use of a micro-grid manager.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to power distribution, and moreparticularly, to methods and systems for controlling electricaldistribution grids.

BACKGROUND

Traditional electrical power networks include three systems: generation,transmission, and distribution. The distribution system (i.e.,distribution grid or distribution network) receives power from one ormore high-voltage sources of the transmission system and distributesthat power to feeder lines. The main functions of the distribution gridinclude voltage transformation, voltage regulation and conservation, andswitching and protection. Voltage transformation steps down power fromthe transmission voltage level to a distribution voltage level. Voltageregulation adjusts the voltage of the feeder lines as loads are addedand removed. Switching and protection includes switches, circuitbreakers, reclosers, and fuses that automatically or manually connect ordisconnect portions of the distribution grid, which changes the grid'stopology.

Technology has transformed distribution grids into decentralized systemsthat include a variety of power generation and storage components. Forexample, premises (e.g., a home or a business) within the distributiongrid may operate their own energy resources (e.g., solar cells, windturbines, and batteries) that can also provide power to the distributiongrid. Further, smart energy devices (e.g., ZigBee® of ZigBee AllianceCorp., San Ramon, Calif.) allow utility operators to remotely controlcomponents of the distribution grid.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect of the invention, a method for configuring micro-gridsimplemented in a computer infrastructure includes determining premisesin an electrical distribution grid that include an energy resource. Themethod further includes determining a configuration of the electricaldistribution grid including a micro-grid, the micro-grid including theone or more premises. The method further includes electrically isolatingthe micro-grid from the electrical distribution grid.

In another aspect of the invention, a system for configuring amicro-grid including a computing system including computing devicescommunicatively linked to an electrical distribution grid via aninformation network is provided. The computing devices receive currentcondition information from devices in the electrical distribution gridvia the information network. Further, the computing devices determinepremises in the electrical distribution grid for inclusion in amicro-grid based on the current condition information. Further, thecomputing devices control switching elements in the electricaldistribution grid to electrically isolate the premises from theelectrical distribution grid.

In an additional aspect of the invention, a computer program product forconfiguring micro-grids is provided. The computer program productincludes one or more computer-readable, tangible storage devices.Further, the computer program product includes program instructions,stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices, toelectrically isolate one or more premises into a micro-grid within anelectrical distribution grid. Further, the computer program productincludes program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or morestorage devices, to subscribe to devices in a home area network of theone or more premises. Further, the computer program product includesprogram instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more storagedevices, to modify power flow in the micro-grid based on currentcondition information provided from the devices via the home areanetwork.

In a further aspect of the invention, a computer system for configuringmicro-grids in an electrical distribution grid is provided. The systemincludes one or more processors, one or more computer-readable memories,and one or more computer-readable, tangible storage devices. Further,the system includes program instructions, stored on at least one of theone or more storage devices for execution by at least one of the one ormore processors via at least one of the one or more memories, to receivecurrent condition information from a plurality of home area networks inpremises of an electrical distribution grid. Further, the systemincludes program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or morestorage devices for execution by at least one of the one or moreprocessors via at least one of the one or more memories, to determineconfiguration information for the electrical distribution grid. Theconfiguration information provides a topology of the electricaldistribution grid including a micro-grid. The micro-grid is anelectrically isolated portion of the electrical distribution grid thatincludes one or more of the premises. Further, the system includesprogram instructions, stored on at least one of the one or more storagedevices for execution by at least one of the one or more processors viaat least one of the one or more memories, to control switching elementsin the electrical distribution grid based on the configurationinformation. Further, the system includes program instructions, storedon at least one of the one or more storage devices for execution by atleast one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one ormore memories, to exchange information with energy resources and energyconsuming devices in one or more of the home area networks included inthe micro-grid. Further, the system includes program instructions,stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices for executionby at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of theone or more memories, to control in power flow between the energyresources and the energy consuming devices.

In accordance with additional aspects of the present invention, a methodof deploying a system for configuring micro-grids in an electricaldistribution grid includes providing a computer infrastructure. Thecomputer infrastructure subscribes to devices registered with a presenceserver corresponding to a micro-grid. Further, the computerinfrastructure receives current condition information in real-timepublished in messages by the devices via the presence server. Further,the computer infrastructure determines whether total power generatedwithin the micro-grid will exceed power demanded within the micro-grid.Further, the computer infrastructure transmits control messages to oneor more of the devices via the presence server that cause the one ormore devices to modify power provided or consumed by the one or more ofthe devices based on the determining.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in the detailed description whichfollows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way ofnon-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative environment for implementing the steps inaccordance with aspects of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of an environment forconfiguring micro-grids in accordance with aspects of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of an exemplary environment formanaging a micro-grid using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) inaccordance with aspects of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a functional block diagram of an exemplary environment formanaging a micro-grid using Message Queue Telemetry Transport (MQTT)protocol in accordance with aspects of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a functional block diagram of an exemplary environment formanaging micro-grids using SIP in accordance with aspects of theinvention.

FIG. 6 shows a functional block diagram of an exemplary environment formanaging micro-grids using MQTT protocol in accordance with aspects ofthe invention.

FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary process for configuring amicro-grid in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary process for managing amicro-grid in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention generally relates to electrical powerdistribution, and more particularly, to methods and systems forcontrolling electrical power distribution networks (i.e., distributiongrids). Implementations of the invention configure, manage, and monitormicro-grids. A micro-grid is a self-sufficient island that iselectrically isolated (i.e., islanded) from the rest of a distributiongrid and that includes sufficient energy resources to satisfy powerdemanded by consuming devices within the micro-grid. For example, anarea of a distribution grid may include one or more premises (e.g.,residences, offices, or facilities) including devices that consumeelectrical power (e.g., lights and appliances) and energy resources thatprovide electrical power (e.g., batteries, generators, solar cells, windturbines, etc.). A micro-grid may include a subset of the premises that,in combination, produce sufficient power to meet the total powerconsumed within the subset of the premises. A utility operator maycreate the micro-grid by opening switching elements in the distributiongrid that electrically isolate the premises within an area of thedistribution grid from the remainder of the distribution grid.

In embodiments, a utility provider dynamically creates and/orreconfigures micro-grids to minimize the number of customers affected byan event that disrupts power delivery to portions of a distributiongrid. Such events may include maintenance, construction, severe weather,natural disasters, man-made disasters, etc. For example, in response toa snowstorm that causes parts of the distribution grid to fail, theutility operator (e.g., a power provider, distributer, and/or manager)may remotely control switches (e.g., using supervisory control and dataacquisition (SCADA) controllers) installed in the distribution grid toconfigure and establish one or more micro-grids. After the disruptionends (e.g., the damage has been repaired), the utility operator mayreconfigure the distribution grid to dissolve the micro-grids withoutaffecting the stability and reliability of the distribution grid.

Further, aspects of the invention manage micro-grids by dynamicallycontrolling distributed energy resources and energy consumption devicesat premises within the distribution grid (e.g., homes and businesslocations). For example, the disclosed systems and methods may monitorconditions within a micro-grid and, in response to changes in theconditions (e.g., changes in or supply or demand), and issue commands toremotely modify (i.e., tune) the operation of the devices within themicro-grid to generate or consume more or less power. By doing so, theutility operator enhances the reliability and robustness of the serviceprovided to its customers. Additionally, the utility operator canmaximize the use of local energy resources to satisfy the local energydemand, thereby reducing potential environmental negative impacts ofpower generation (e.g., soot from coal-fired power plants).

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method, or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein; for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus, or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative environment 10 for managing the processesin accordance with the invention. To this extent, environment 10includes a server or other computing system 12 that can perform theprocesses described herein. In particular, server 12 includes acomputing device 14. Computing device 14 can be resident on a networkinfrastructure or computing device of a third party service provider(any of which is generally represented in FIG. 1).

Computing device 14 also includes a processor 20, memory 22A, an I/Ointerface 24, and a bus 26. Memory 22A can include local memory employedduring actual execution of program code, bulk storage, and cachememories which provide temporary storage of at least some program codein order to reduce the number of times code must be retrieved from bulkstorage during execution. In addition, computing device 14 includesrandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), and an operatingsystem (O/S).

Computing device 14 is in communication with external I/Odevice/resource 28 and storage system 22B. For example, I/O device 28can include any device that enables an individual to interact withcomputing device 14 (e.g., user interface) or any device that enablescomputing device 14 to communicate with one or more other computingdevices using any type of communications link. External I/Odevice/resource 28 may be for example, a handheld device, PDA, handset,keyboard etc.

In general, processor 20 executes computer program code (e.g., programcontrol 44), which can be stored in memory 22A and/or storage system22B. Moreover, in accordance with aspects of the invention, programcontrol 44 controls a configuration engine 102 and/or a micro-gridmanager 104, e.g., the processes described herein. Configuration engine102 and micro-grid manager 104 can be implemented as one or more programcode in program control 44 stored in memory 22A as separate or combinedmodules. Additionally, configuration engine 102 and micro-grid manager104 may be implemented as separate dedicated processors or a single orseveral processors to provide the function of these tools. Further,configuration engine 102 and micro-grid manager 104 (along with theirrespective data and modules) can be implemented in separate devices.Moreover, configuration engine 102 and micro-grid manager 104 (alongwith their respective data and modules) can be implemented in differentplanes of a network (e.g., a control plane and a service plane).

In accordance with aspects of the invention, server 12 includesconfiguration engine 102 and/or micro-grid manager 104. Configurationengine 102 is hardware, software, or a combination thereof thatconfigures a micro-grid within a distribution grid by determining thatdemand by consuming devices within the micro-grid is satisfied by theenergy resources within that micro-grid. Energy consuming devicesinclude, for example, home appliances, lighting, electric vehicles, etc.The energy resources include variable energy resources (VERs) anddistributed energy resources (DERs), including, e.g., generators (e.g.,gas, wind, solar, etc.) and energy storage devices (e.g., electricbatteries, fuel cells, etc.).

After determining a micro-grid configuration, configuration engine 102issues messages to control elements of the distribution grid (e.g.,switches connected to SCADA controllers) to modify the topology of theelectrical distribution network and create or modify the micro-grid. Forexample, the configuration engine may dynamically modify a micro-grid byreducing the number of connected premises and/or consuming deviceswithin the micro-grid based on current conditions (e.g., weather, load,power generation, etc.) within the distribution grid.

Still referring to FIG. 1, in accordance with aspects of the invention,the configuration engine 102 includes a historical analysis module 110,a forecast analysis module 112, and/or a configuration analysis module114. Historical analysis module 110 is hardware, software, or acombination thereof that analyzes historical information, such ashistorical information 132 in storage system 22B. Historical information132 may be collected from devices of the distribution grid and/orthird-party sources. Historical information 132 includes, for example,past weather conditions (e.g., temperature, precipitation, winddirections and forces, barometric pressure, and sky conditions),electrical conditions (e.g., voltage, current, real, reactive, andapparent power), network topology, power outage information,communications' infrastructure information (e.g., operating status,location, clients), and asset information (e.g., identification, hostnetwork, location). Historical analysis module 110 aggregates,correlates, filters, and/or enriches historical information 132 usingconventional data analysis techniques. For example, historical analysismodule 110 may average power demand data at different locations (e.g.,premises) over a time period to generate a digest of historicalinformation 132 that associates locations of a distribution grid(including micro-grids) with power demand at different time frames(e.g., monthly, daily, hourly, etc.).

Forecast analysis module 112 is hardware, software, or a combinationthereof that combines historical information (e.g., the digest ofhistorical information determined by historical analysis module 110) andforecast information, such as forecast information 134 in storage system22B, to determine forecasted near-term conditions in the electricalnetwork. Forecast information 134 may be information generated by theutility operator and/or obtained from third-party sources. For example,forecast information 134 includes weather forecast information, localforecast information, and power generation forecast information(including wind, solar, temperature, etc.). Forecast analysis module 112may analyze forecast information 134 using one or more predefined modelsto forecast near-term conditions of the distribution grid. For example,based on energy consumption profiles and energy generation profiles,forecast analysis module 112 generates a data structure that associateslocations (e.g., premises) of an electrical grid (including micro-grids)with predicted power demand at different times in the near-future (e.g.,days, hours, minutes, etc.). The generated forecast may be continuallyand/or periodically updated (e.g., in real-time).

Configuration analysis module 114 is hardware, software or a combinationthereof that determines network topology, including micro-gridconfigurations, based on historical information, forecast informationand/or the current state of the distribution grid. In embodiments, basedon the forecasted near-term conditions determined by forecast analysismodule 112, configuration analysis module 114 determines configurationinformation 136, which defines locations (e.g., premises) that can beelectrically isolated into one or more micro-grids that include energyresources (e.g., distributed and/or variable energy resources, such aswind turbines) that can generate a greater amount of power than consumedby energy consuming devices (e.g., appliances) operating within themicro-grid. Configuration analysis module 114 may analyze the near-termforecast information and/or the current state information usingconventional techniques. For, example, configuration analysis module 114may analyze the information using data event and data pattern matching,graphs exploration, Monte-Carlo simulation, stochastic and Las Vegasalgorithms, approximation and genetics heuristics using rules-based ormodel-based datasets, to aggregate, correlate and analyze the abovereal-time and historical information sources to define the optimalnetwork configuration for micro-grids. An optimal configuration for amicro-grid may include a mix of energy resources and energy consumingdevices that maximize the number of customers in one or moremicro-grids.

In accordance with aspects of the invention, micro-grid manager 104 ishardware, software, or a combination thereof that implements and managesmicro-grids. In embodiments, micro-grid manager 104 obtainsconfiguration information 136 generated by configuration engine 102 and,based on that information, issues commands to devices within thedistribution grid to open switches that isolate one or more portionsinto a micro-grid. Further, in embodiments, micro-grid manager 104manages micro-grids by ensuring that demand by power consumers within aparticular micro-grid is satisfied by the power providers within thatmicro-grid. In implementations, using analysis techniques similar toconfiguration engine 102, micro-grid manager 104 may combine current(e.g., real-time) information received from devices and/or systems in amicro-grid with historical information and forecast information todynamically tune the performance of energy resources and power consumerswithin the micro-grid. For example, based on current temperatureinformation received from one or more devices in the distribution grid,micro-grid manager 104 may communicate with smart appliances (e.g.,water heater and air conditioner) in a home area network of premises inthe micro-grid and control them to reduce their power consumption. Bydoing so, micro-grid manager 104 may ensure that sufficient energy isproduced in the micro-grid to power devices that may operate within themicro-gird.

Although micro-grid manager 104 is shown in FIG. 1 as being incorporatedin server 12 along with configuration engine 102, micro-grid manager 104can be implemented on a separate server or other computing device. Forexample, configuration engine 102 can be part of a utility operator'scentralized distribution and/or control infrastructure of a distributiongrid, and micro-grid manager 104 can be part of a service plane thatcommunicates with devices (e.g., a presence server) in a control thatservices devices in a user/transport plane.

In embodiments, configuration engine 102 and micro-grid manager 104operate in real-time. In the context of this disclosure, “real-time” isprocessing received information at a rate that is approximately the sameor faster than the rate at which the system receives information fromone or more devices operating in the system. For example, if a real-timesystem receives information at a frequency of 1 Hertz, the systemoutputs information at approximately 1 Hertz or faster under normaloperating conditions.

While executing the computer program code, processor 20 can read and/orwrite data to/from memory 22A, storage system 22B, and/or I/O interface24. The program code executes the processes of the invention. Bus 26provides a communications link between each of the components incomputing device 14.

Computing device 14 can include any general purpose computing article ofmanufacture capable of executing computer program code installed thereon(e.g., a personal computer, server, etc.). However, it is understoodthat computing device 14 is only representative of various possibleequivalent-computing devices that may perform the processes describedherein. To this extent, in embodiments, the functionality provided bycomputing device 14 can be implemented by a computing article ofmanufacture that includes any combination of general and/or specificpurpose hardware and/or computer program code. In each embodiment, theprogram code and hardware can be created using standard programming andengineering techniques, respectively.

Similarly, the computing infrastructure is only illustrative of varioustypes of computer infrastructures for implementing the invention. Forexample, in embodiments, server 12 includes two or more computingdevices (e.g., a server cluster) that communicate over any type ofcommunications link, such as a network, a shared memory, or the like, toperform the process described herein. Further, while performing theprocesses described herein, one or more computing devices on server 12can communicate with one or more other computing devices external toserver 12 using any type of communications link. The communications linkcan include any combination of wired and/or wireless links; anycombination of one or more types of networks (e.g., the Internet, a widearea network, a local area network, a virtual private network, etc.);and/or utilize any combination of transmission techniques and protocols.

FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of an exemplary environment 200for configuring micro-grids in accordance with aspects of the invention.Environment 200 includes one or more devices 202, one or more presenceservers 206, configuration engine 102, and micro-grid manager 104.Devices 202 may be energy resources (e.g., a power generator or powerstorage) and/or energy consuming devices (e.g., powered appliances)within a distribution grid. According to further aspects, devices 202are home-area network-enabled devices (e.g., smart devices) that includenetwork communications interfaces through which the devices may exchangeinformation and/or receive commands using, e.g., SIP or MQTT protocolmessaging. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, devices 202 may communicatevia presence servers 206 to provide current condition information 225(e.g., on/off state, power, voltage, current, faults, serviceinformation, etc.) to configuration engine 102 (which may be relayedthrough micro-grid manager 104). Additionally, devices 202 may receivecommands (e.g. SIP control messages) from e.g., micro-grid manager 104that control devices 202 to modify their operation (e.g., powerconsumption or/or power generation).

Presence server 206 is software, a system, or combination thereof thataccepts, stores and distributes SIP presence information from SIPentities. For example, presence server 206 is a SIP presence server thatregisters micro-grid manager 104 (e.g., as a watcher application) anddevices 202 (e.g., as presentities). As such, the SIP entitiesillustrated in FIG. 2 can subscribe, publish, and acknowledgeinformation or commands via SIP messages.

According to aspects of the invention, configuration engine 102determines micro-grids based on historical information 132, forecastinformation 134, and/or current condition information 225. Currentcondition information 225 is information received from one or moredevices in the electrical grid (e.g., device 202) that describes thecurrent state of the network. Current condition information 225includes, for example, information such loads, topology information(e.g., identity, host network, location, tie-line), weather, state(on/off, power, voltage, current, impedance, temperature), and networkcommunication status. In embodiments, configuration analysis module 114determines an optimal micro-grid configuration based on informationdetermined by historical analysis module 110 and forecast analysismodule 112. Historical analysis module 110 analyzes historicalinformation 132 to determine a digest of historical information.Forecast analysis module 112 analyzes forecast information 134 and/orthe output of the historical analysis module to determine a forecast ofnear-term conditions in the distribution grid (e.g., devices and theirrespective power supply and/or demand). Using the forecast of near-termconditions determined by forecast analysis module 112, configurationanalysis module 114 determines potential micro-grids.

Still referring to FIG. 2, in accordance with aspects of the invention,micro-grid manager 104 issues SIP control messages based on theconfiguration information (e.g., configuration information 136)determined by configuration engine 102. The SIP control messages caninclude information such as network topology changes, changes to themicro-grid configuration, and/or changes to power generations and/orconsumption parameters of devices in the micro-grid. For example, afterconfiguration information 136 is determined, the utility operator mayreview the information and initiate the configuration changes in thedistribution grid. Upon initiation, micro-grid manager 104 receivesconfiguration information 136 (e.g., from configuration engine 102 orstorage device 22B) and issues commands to the distribution grid tocreate or modify one or more micro-grids. In embodiments, micro-gridmanager 104 transmits SIP control messages (e.g., via presence server206) that control topology elements (e.g., as switches, fuses andsectionalizers connected to SCADA controllers) to isolate some or alldevices 202 into a micro-grid.

Notably, FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which micro-grid manager104 uses SIP messages to exchange information with devices 202 andpresence server 206. However, embodiments of the invention are notlimited to this example. As discussed in greater detail below,embodiments may instead use MQTT-messaging or any other suitablecommunication protocol. Further, as noted above, configuration engine102 and micro-grid manager 104 may be incorporated in a single system.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an exemplaryenvironment 300 for managing a micro-grid using SIP messaging inaccordance with aspects of the invention. As shown, micro-grid manager104 can be communicatively linked with components of exemplaryenvironment 300, including energy resources 310, energy consumingdevices 315, micro-grid monitoring and visualization devices 320, and apresence server 206. Energy resources 310 are systems and devices thatprovide power to the micro-grid, including electric vehicles (e.g., aplug-in electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle), variableenergy resources (e.g., solar cells, wind turbines), and energy storagedevices (e.g., batteries, storage capacitors, and fuel cells). Energyconsuming devices 315 are devices that consume energy (e.g., homeappliances, water heaters, swimming pools, programmable controllablethermostats, etc.).

In accordance with aspects of the invention, energy resources 310 andenergy consuming devices 315 are network-enabled devices that can form ahome-area-network in which the clients (e.g., energy resources 310 andenergy consuming devices 315) use SIP messaging. For example, home areanetwork-enabled energy resources 310 and energy consuming devices 315devices can register with presence server 206 (e.g., using direct SIPregistration with a SIP registrar or using a Zigbee® interface).

Micro-grid manager 104 communicates with energy resources 310, energyconsuming devices 315, micro-grid monitoring and visualization devices320, and presence server 206 using SIP messaging. The SIP messages maybe communicated over an information network, such as a wide area networkor the Internet, using, e.g., HTTP or HTTPS. Additionally, the SIPmessages can be encrypted using secured SIP and IPSec. Micro-gridmanager 104 registers with a SIP registrar (e.g., presence server 206)and subscribes to SIP notifications and messages issued by the variousconnected home area network devices that belong to the micro-grid. Bydoing so, micro-grid manager 104 functions as a SIP watcher of energyresources 310, energy consuming devices 315, and/or micro-gridmonitoring and visualization devices 320.

Micro-grid manager 104 monitors and controls devices in the micro-gridto ensure that energy resources 310 assigned to the micro-grid providesufficient power to supply energy consuming devices 315 that are alsowithin the micro-grid. For example, based on the topology of themicro-grid and current conditions (e.g., current conditions information225) received in SIP messages issued by the devices in a micro-grid(such as devices 202), micro-grid manager 104 calculates the currentconditions of the monitored micro-grid (e.g., the actual or estimatedreactive and actual power, voltage, current, etc.). That is, micro-gridmanager 104 determines the power flow of the micro-grid based on thecurrent (e.g., real-time) information provided by energy resources 310and energy consuming devices 315.

Based on the current conditions, micro-grid manager 104 can modify theenergy production of energy resources 310 (increased output) and/orreduce the energy consumption of energy consuming devices 315 (e.g.,decrease the output or shut off appliances, such as air conditioners) tobalance the supply and demand of the micro-grid. In the event the supplyor demand of the micro-grid cannot be balanced such that the micro-gridis self-sufficient, the micro-grid manager may initiate a change in themicro-grid's configuration by configuration engine 102 (shown in FIG.1).

Micro-grid monitoring and visualization devices 320 are software,hardware, or combination thereof that gather and present informationfrom one or more of micro-grid manager 104, energy resources 310, energyconsuming devices 315 and presence server 206. For example, viamicro-grid monitoring and visualization devices 320, an employee of theutility operator (e.g., a distribution dispatcher) may use a centralizedadvanced monitoring visualization application to view the state of allor set of micro-grids that it managed by one or more micro-gridmanagers. Further, the utility operator and/or its customers canascertain the current state of micro-grids through advancedvisualization watcher applications, which improves the situationalawareness of customers and utility operator.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating a system in accordancewith aspects of the invention that uses MQTTs and/or MQTT messaging tomanage micro-grids in an electrical network. The exemplary embodimentdepicted in FIG. 4 includes a micro-grid manager 104 communicativelylinked with components of the exemplary environment 400, includingenergy resources 310, energy consuming devices 315, micro-gridmonitoring and visualization devices 320, gateways 420, and micro-gridbroker 425. Energy resources 310, energy consuming devices 315, andmicro-grid and monitoring and visualization devices 320 are the same orsimilar to those described above with respect to FIG. 3. In the presentimplementation, the use of MQTT messaging for wireless communicationimproves the reliably with respect to a wireless network using SIP.

As shown in FIG. 4, each element in environment 400 may act as apublisher of the information or subscriber of information. Gateways 420perform protocol transformation by stripping header elements from MQTTmessages or adding header elements for MQTTs. Micro-grid broker 425exchanges messages between clients (i.e., micro-grid manager 104, energyresources 310, energy consuming devices 315, and micro-grid monitoringand visualization devices 320) to send MQTTs message and for subscribersto receive. Thus, micro-grid broker 425 can store the received androuted messages based on one of a flag of transported messages thatspecifies the data retention requirement of the message, even once themessage is delivered to desired clients.

FIG. 5 shows an environment 500 for managing micro-grids using SIP inaccordance with aspects of the invention. Environment 500 includes oneor more premises 505-509 having home area networks, as illustrated byhome area networks 515 and 516 of premises 505 and 506, communicativelylinked through one or more networks 512 (e.g., a cellular radio network,a pole-switched telephone network (PSTN) and/or the Internet) toconfiguration engine 102, micro-grid manager 104, micro-grid monitoringand visualization devices 320, and presence servers 206A and 206B. Eachof premises 505-509 may include one or more devices (e.g., similar todevice 202), which may be energy resources 310 and/or energy consumingdevices 315) communicatively linked in their respective home areanetworks (e.g., home area networks 515 and 516), such as shown in FIG.3. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, premises 505 and 506 include thefollowing devices that can be managed in implementation accordance withaspects of the invention: a water heater, a controllable thermostat,energy storage (e.g. batteries, capacitive storage), a gas generator (orthe like), a pool pump, home appliances (e.g., television, digital videodisc player, refrigerator, etc.), a plug-in electric vehicle, and avariable energy resource (e.g., wind turbine, solar power cells). Inimplementations, home area networks 515 and 516 are Zigbee® networksthat connect to network 512 via respective gateways 540, which translatebetween the SIP protocol and the communication protocol of network 512(e.g., TCP/IP).

Premises 505 and premises 506 are isolated within a first micro-grid 550and premises 507-509 are isolated in a second micro-grid 551 (asexemplified by the dashed-line surrounding these premises). Micro-gridmanager 104 functions as a SIP watcher of presence servers 206A and206B. That is, micro-grid manager 104 registers with presence servers206A and/or 206B (e.g., with a subscription registrar) and subscribes toSIP notifications issued by the various devices in the home areanetworks of premises 505-509, respectively, from which it receivescondition information about the state of micro-grids 550 and 551 (e.g.,current condition information 225). Based on the obtained conditioninformation, historical information (e.g., historical information 132)and forecast information (e.g., forecast information 134), micro-gridmanager 104 determines power control settings for the devices in homearea networks 515 and 516 of premises 505-509 to ensure the stabilityand reliability of micro-grids 550 and 551. Further, micro-grid manager104 issues SIP control messages to the devices via, e.g., gateway 540,and modifies the power control setting of the devices (e.g.,increases/decreases power generation or consumption).

While FIG. 5 includes only one micro-grid manager 104, implementationsof the present invention may include numerous micro-grid managers. Insuch implementations, configuration engine 102 enables/disables themicro-grid managers by providing the configuration of the micro-grid tomanage along with the list of premises belonging to each micro-grid,etc. Premises belonging to a micro-grid may or may not register with thesame presence server. In the latter instance, the micro-grid managerregisters with several presence servers and subscribes to SIPnotifications issued by the various home area network devices. Based onthe current electrical state of its micro-grids, the micro-grid managerissues SIP control messages to home area network devices, via the properpresence server, to manage balance demand and generation within themicro-grid.

Micro-grid monitoring and visualization devices 320 can requestinformation from one or several micro-grid managers 104. For example,micro-grid monitoring and visualization devices 320 may be a centralizedsystem that presents information from micro-grid monitoring andvisualization devices 320 related to the state of micro-grids in an areaof responsibility of a distribution dispatcher. Field crew mobile device521 may be a mobile device used by a field crew working in a particularmicro-grid that obtains information from micro-grid monitoring andvisualization devices 320 to display the current state of themicro-grid. Further, field crew mobile device 521 may use SIP or othercommunication protocol through a private or public and secured wirelessnetwork, to send specific command controls to the distribution gridthrough micro-grid manager 104 to e.g., open fuses, ramp down adistributed energy resource, reconnect a consuming device, etc.

In an implementation, micro-grid manager 104 communicates with gateways540, instead of communicating directly to the devices of premises505-509. In this embodiment, gateway 540 operates as a premises energymanagement system. For example, gateway 540 may interpret and dispatchcontrol messages issued by micro-grid manager 102 to the devices in homearea networks 515 and 516.

FIG. 6 shows an environment 600 for managing micro-grids using MQTTsand/or MQTT messaging in accordance with aspects of the invention. Thecommunication flow of the implementation shown in FIG. 6 is similar tothat shown in FIG. 5, but instead communicating is provided using MQTTsand/or MQTT protocols through micro-grid brokers 425A and 425B. That is,similar to environment 500, the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 6includes one or more premises 505-509 having home area networks (e.g.,home area networks 515 and 516 of premises 505 and 506) communicativelylinked through one or more networks 512 (e.g., a TCP/IP network) to aconfiguration engine 102, micro-grid manager 104, micro-grid monitoringand visualization devices 320, and field crew mobile device 521.

In accordance with the present implementations, home area networks 515and 516 are Zigbee® networks that connect to network 512 via respectivegateways 420. The clients (e.g., devices) of home area networks 515 and516 can have a MQTTs client (e.g., Zigbee®) deployed on top of home areanetworks 515 and 516. Further, similar to that described above withrespect to FIG. 4, micro-grid brokers 425A and 425B use MQTTs and/orMQTT messaging to communicate with the devices in micro-grids 550 and551. Each device in home area networks 515 and 516 may act as either apublisher of the information or subscriber of information.

As shown in FIG. 6, and similar to that illustrated in FIG. 4, home areanetworks 515 and 516 communicate with network 512 via gateways 420. Theuse of MQTT for wireless devices can increase reliability with respectto SIP messaging. Gateways 420 translate MQTTs to MQTT messages betweenthe devices in home area networks 515 and 516 and micro-grid brokers425A and 425B. In embodiments, gateways 420 perform protocoltransformation by stripping header elements from MQTT or adding headerelements for MQTTs.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show exemplary swim-lane diagrams for performing aspectsof the present invention. The steps of FIGS. 7 and 8 can be implementedin any of the environments of FIGS. 1-6, for example.

The flowcharts in FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the architecture,functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems,methods, and computer program products according to various embodimentsof the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart orblock diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code,which includes one or more executable instructions for implementing thespecified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in somealternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occurout of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown insuccession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or theblocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending uponthe functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware andcomputer instructions.

Furthermore, the invention can take the form of a computer programproduct accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readable mediumproviding program code for use by or in connection with a computer orany instruction execution system. The software and/or computer programproduct can be implemented in the environment of FIG. 1. For thepurposes of this description, a computer-usable or computer readablemedium can be any apparatus that can contain, store, communicate,propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with theinstruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The medium can be anelectronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, orsemiconductor system (or apparatus or device) or a propagation medium.Examples of a computer-readable storage medium include a semiconductoror solid state memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magneticdisk, and an optical disk. Current examples of optical disks includecompact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disc-read/write (CD-R/W)and DVD.

FIG. 7 shows a swim-lane diagram of an exemplary process for configuringa micro-grid in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Theflow includes a user/transport plane, a control plane, a service plane,and a centralized distribution control plane. The user/transport planeincludes SCADA devices, SIP-client energy resources devices (e.g.,energy resources 310), and SIP-client energy consuming devices (e.g.,energy consuming devices 315). The control plane includes a SIPregistrar and a presence server (e.g., presence server 206). The serviceplane may include a micro-grid manager (e.g., micro-grid manager 104).The centralized distribution control plane may include a server (e.g.,server 12) and a configuration engine (e.g., configuration engine 102).

The process starts upon initiation of a configuration engine (e.g.,configuration engine 102). The configuration engine may be initiatedmanually by an operator or automatically based on current conditions ofa distribution grid (e.g., a failure detected during a storm). At step710, the configuration engine determines an optimal configuration (e.g.,configuration information 136) for micro-grids (e.g., micro-grids 550and 551) in the distribution grid based on the current (e.g., real-time)conditions of the distribution grid, as well as historical information(e.g., historical information 132) and forecast information (e.g.,forecast information 134). For example, the configuration engine maydetermine a configuration of a micro-grid (e.g., micro-grid 550) basedon information received from network-enabled devices in distributiongrid (e.g., device 202), historical weather patterns (e.g., dailyhigh/low temperatures), and forecasted power consumption. At step 712,the determined configuration information may be recorded by a centralserver (e.g., server 12) in data storage system (e.g., storage system22B) for future reference and access (e.g., by micro-grid manager 102).

At step 714, a micro-grid manager (e.g., micro-grid manager 104)receives the configuration information determined by the configurationengine. The micro-grid manager defines the switching plans to isolatethe determined micro-grid configuration. For example, based on data inthe configuration information describing the location of the micro-gridand topology information of the distribution grid, the micro-gridmanager may identify switches, reclosures and the like in thedistribution grid that will isolate the micro-grid. The micro-gridmanager can automatically or manually execute the switching plan for themicro-grid configuration by sending controls to switching elements ofthe distribution grid to isolate a portion of the distribution grid intoa micro-grid. For example, the micro-grid manager can send commands(e.g., using SIP control messages) to remotely controllable SCADAdevices that open selected switches in the distribution grid and therebyisolate a portion of the distribution grid into a micro-grid. Inembodiments, prior to sending the commands to create the micro-grid, themanagement engine validates the switching plan by verifying eachmicro-grid will be viable once disconnected from the rest ofdistribution grid.

At steps 720 a and 720 b, the various devices (e.g., distributed energyresources 310 and energy consuming devices 315) in the home areanetworks (e.g., home area networks 515 and 516) register with a SIPregistrar (e.g., presence server 206), which enables them to participatein a micro-grid. Steps 720 a and/or 720 b may occur in before, after, orcontemporaneously with one or more of steps 710, 712, and 714. Notably,the dashed lines in the figures represent acknowledgement messages (e.g.SIP acknowledgment messages).

At step 730, based on a micro-grid configuration (e.g., configurationinformation 136) provided from the configuration engine, the micro-gridmanager identifies one or more presence servers to register with andsends a SIP registration message to the SIP registrars of those presenceservers. For example, the micro-manager may identify the presenceservers based on configuration information that includes topologyinformation indicating the presence servers corresponding to devices andor premises (e.g., premises 505-509) that are to be assigned to amicro-grid. At step 735, once registered, the micro-grid managersubscribes to all the devices in the home area network that belong inthe micro-grid assigned to the named micro-grid manager. Once thesubscriptions are sent out and acknowledged by the presence server(s),at step 737, the micro-grid manager acknowledges the reception ofmicro-grids configuration, informing the utility operator (e.g.,centralized distribution/control) that the micro-grid manager can, asneed be, take ownership of monitoring and controlling assignedmicro-grids.

At steps 740 a and 740 b, each device registered to the presence serverand participating to the micro-grid subscribes to the SIP controlmessages issued by micro-grid manager and publishes their current state(e.g., current condition information 225). For example, the devices mayissue periodic condition information and/or they may issue anotification when a change in state occurs. At step 745, the presenceserver acknowledges the SIP messages issued by the devices and notifiesthe micro-grid manager. This enables the micro-grid manager to determinethe current state of monitored micro-grids. For example, on a periodicbasis, or when certain thresholds or a switching device has changedstatus, the micro-grid manager recalculates the electrical state ofmonitored micro-grid(s).

FIG. 8 illustrates a swim-lane diagram of an exemplary process formonitoring a micro-grid in accordance with aspects of the invention. Theflow includes a user/transport plane, a control plane, a service plane,and a centralized distribution control plane. The user/transport planeincludes SCADA devices, SIP-client energy resources devices (e.g.,energy resources 310), and SIP-client energy consuming devices (e.g.,energy consuming devices 315). The control plane includes a SIPregistrar and a presence server (e.g., presence server 206). The serviceplane may include a micro-grid manager (e.g., micro-grid manager 104).The centralized distribution control plane may include a server (e.g.,server 12) and a configuration engine (e.g., configuration engine 102).

The process shown in FIG. 8 may occur, for example, after the micro-gridconfiguration process shown in FIG. 7. For example, during a large poweroutage in the distribution grid, a central server of the utilityoperator (e.g., server 12) can enable the management of an existingmicro-grid (e.g., micro-grid 550) by a micro-grid manager (e.g.,micro-grid manager 104). At step 810, the micro-grid manageracknowledges reception of the configuration information for themicro-grid and initiates control of the various devices (e.g., devices202) in the micro-grid.

At step 820, if micro-grid manager detects that the total powergenerated (e.g., by energy resources 310) in the micro-grid is notsufficient to support the current demand (e.g., by energy consumingdevices 315), and, further, determines that an energy resource hasreserve capacity, the micro-grid manager sends SIP control messages(e.g., similar to a set point control), via the presence server (e.g.,presence server 206A), to one or more energy resources in the micro gridinstructing the energy resources to generate more energy. At step 825,the presence server of the micro-grid acknowledges the message from themicro-grid manager and notifies the device (e.g., energy resource 310)to comply with the control. The energy resource device acknowledges theSIP notification and executes the control, increasing its output.

At step 830, the generated output of a controlled energy resourceincreases as commanded and the energy resource publishes this currentstate indicating the increased generating output using a SIP message. Atstep 840, the presence server receives the SIP message providing the newgenerated output energy resource, acknowledges the message, and notifiesthe micro-grid manager. At step 850, the micro-grid manager receives themodified output, and acknowledges the messages. The micro-grid managerthen recalculates a current state of the micro-grid.

At step 855, if the micro-grid manager detects that the total powergenerated in the micro-grid is not sufficient to support the demand and,further, determines that no energy resource in the micro-grid hadreserve (additional) capacity, then the micro-grid manager controls theenergy consumers (e.g., energy consuming devices 315 in the micro-grid)to reduce their demand. For example, the micro-grid manager may issuecommands that cause a programmable controllable thermostat to modify itssetting or stop a pool pump during a period of increased demand. Thepresence server(s) acknowledges the reception of SIP home area networkcontrol messages and notifies the controlled home area network devices.

At step 860, each controlled device receives the SIP notification,acknowledges it, and processes the control message. For instance, thecontrol message may cause an energy consuming device to shed load asinstructed by the micro-grid manager and, thereby, decrease the energyconsumption of the home area network. The device then publishes a SIPmessage with its new energy consumption, which may routed in the similarway to the micro-grid manager via a SIP notification message from thepresence server. At step 870, the micro-grid manager receives andprocesses the SIP notification from the presence server. For example,the micro-grid manager determines the new energy consumption of controlhome area network device, and recalculates the current electrical stateof micro-grid. Steps 820, 830 . . . 870 may be iteratively repeateduntil the micro-grid is dissolved by the utility operator.

Implementations of the present invention provide numerous advantagesincluding: extending the configuration, monitoring and capabilitiesprovided by the home area networks (e.g., Zigbee®) to externalapplications; providing real-time and decentralized monitoring andcontrol of distributed energy resources and energy consumption devicesat customers' premises to continue providing services to customers evenduring large scale power outages and improve the reliability andsustainability of micro-grids; maximizing the use of local energyresources to satisfy the local energy demand, thus reducing potentialenvironmental negative impacts; promoting a communication standard toenable decentralized micro-grid management; supporting small to largeamounts of home area network devices through the use of well-proven,high performing and low latency communication protocols; and enablingfaster services restoration during unplanned events affecting thedistribution grid through decentralized micro-grid management.

In exemplary implementations, the invention provides continuingelectrical services to customers of a utility operator during plannedpower outages. For example, in the event a utility operator plans toperform maintenance on a primary feeder line that may affect services toa neighborhood, the utility operator can use a configuration engine(e.g., configuration engine 102) to identify how services could be fullyor partially maintained through the configuration of severalmicro-grids. For example, the utility operator may review theconfiguration information (e.g. configuration information 136) from theconfiguration engine to establish switching plans to create themicro-grids. Further the utility operator may review controls through adistribution supervisory control and data acquisition (D-SCADA) systemor launch the automated execution of switching plans to isolate theidentified electrical pockets to form the micro-grids. Further, theutility operator may enable a decentralized micro-grid managementsystems (e.g., micro-grid manager 104) to manage the micro-grids.Further, the utility operator may monitor the state and health ofmicro-grids (via, e.g., micro-grid monitoring and visualizationdevices).

In embodiments, after the utility operator enables the micro-gridmanagement by the decentralized micro-grid management system (micro-gridmanager), the micro-grid manager calculates the current micro-gridstate. The micro-grid manager monitors the energy resources and theenergy consumption devices in the micro-grid and periodically adjuststhe generated power and energy consumption (e.g., switch off/on,increase/decrease, etc). Once the planned maintenance is completed, thedispatcher using the centralized advanced distribution management systemdisables the control of micro-grids by the micro-grid manager andreconnects the micro-grids to the rest of electrical grid.

In exemplary implementations, the invention maintains and/or restoresservices during unplanned power outages. For example, a storm, disaster,or unplanned event may create power outages in various locations. Theutility operator responsible for the affected grid and customers mustrestore services promptly. To do so, in addition to leveraging theadvanced functions offered by distribution and outage managementsystems, the utility operator uses the configuration engine to identifyportions of the distribution grid that can be isolated and configured asmicro-grids. The utility operator can then isolate the identifiedmicro-grids.

In implementations, the micro-grids could initially be either energizedor de-energized (i.e., powered and unpowered). Once isolated, theutility operator enables the micro-grid management system to takeownership of monitoring and control of associated electrical pockets.For the energized micro-grids, the associated micro-grid manager startscontrolling the available distributed energy resources and home areanetwork controllable loads, ensuring the sustainability and reliabilityof micro-grids as well as the power quality. For the de-energizedmicro-grids, the associated micro-grid manager can initiate a blackstart(i.e., begin from an unpowered state) of the micro-grid. To do so, themicro-grid manager isolates the premises in which distributed energyresources are available and sends signals to the energy resource tostart generating. Once each of the premises having an energy resource isviable, the micro-grid manager connects, one at a time, a neighborhoodpremises, ensuring that all controllable and non-required loads withinthe premises to connect are turned-off. Once all premises within themicro-grid are connected, and the controllable loads have been broughtonline based on the generating power produced by the available energyresources, the micro-grid manager switches to a normal operational mode,continuously monitoring the micro-grid electrical state and controllingas appropriate the available distributed energy resources and energyconsuming devices.

In exemplary implementations, the invention monitors micro-grids throughmicro-grid monitoring and visualization. That is, a utility operator,employees of the operator, and its customers who belong to micro-gridsmay be notified when the utility operator has configured thedistribution network to isolate them from the rest of electrical grid.For example, the micro-grid monitoring and visualization enablescustomers to visualize the current state of micro-grids through a mobiledevice, a home energy management system or utilities portal, whichpresents the following information: total energy demand; total powergeneration; total reserve; and/or a geographical map of micro-gridshowing graphically voltage quality. Further, an owner or operator of anenergy resource (e.g., energy resources 310) may be presented thefollowing information: current power output, current estimated reserve,and messages issued by the micro-grid management system to the energyresources. Additionally, an owner or operator of an energy consumingdevice (e.g., energy consuming device 315) may be presented thefollowing information: current interval usage, load adjustments signals,and controls issued by the micro-grid management system to the varioushome area network devices. Thus, in such situations, micro-gridmonitoring and visualization informs the utility operator and itscustomers of the state of a micro-grid so that they may adapt theirenergy consumption to the micro-grid's power generation currentcapability and reserve.

In embodiments, a service provider, such as a Solution Integrator, couldoffer to perform the processes described herein. In this case, theservice provider can create, maintain, deploy, support, etc., thecomputer infrastructure that performs the process steps of the inventionfor one or more customers. These customers may be, for example, anybusiness that uses technology. In return, the service provider canreceive payment from the customer(s) under a subscription and/or feeagreement and/or the service provider can receive payment from the saleof advertising content to one or more third parties.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for configuring micro-grids implementedin a computer infrastructure comprising: determining, by a computerdevice, one or more premises in an electrical distribution gridcomprising an energy resource; determining, by the computer device, aconfiguration of the electrical distribution grid; determining, by thecomputer device, a configuration of a micro-grid, the micro-gridcomprising the one or more premises in the electrical distribution gridand the micro-grid being configured in the electrical distribution grid;and electrically isolating, by the computer device, the micro-grid fromthe electrical distribution grid.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein: theone or more premises comprises a home area network communicativelylinking the energy resource and an energy consuming device; and thedetermining the one or more premises comprises receiving informationfrom the energy resource and the energy consuming device via the homearea network.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the configuration of theelectrical distribution grid is determined based on the informationreceived from the energy resource and the energy consuming device,historical information, and forecast information and determining theconfiguration of the micro-grid includes a blackstart of the micro-grid.4. The method of claim 2, wherein the home area network communicatesusing Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) messages.
 5. The method of claim4, further comprising: registering with a presence server correspondingto the micro-grid; and subscribing to messages published by the energyresource and the energy consuming device.
 6. The method of claim 2,wherein the home area network communicates using Message Queue TelemetryTransport (MQTT) messages.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein theelectrically isolating the micro-grid comprises causing switchingelements in the electrical distribution grid to disconnect themicro-grid from the electrical distribution grid.
 8. The method of claim1, wherein a service provider at least one of creates, maintains,deploys and supports the computer infrastructure.
 9. The method of claim1, wherein steps of claim 1 are provided by a service provider on asubscription, advertising, and/or fee basis and the service providermonitors a current state of the micro-grid through one or morevisualization watcher applications.
 10. A system for configuring amicro-grid comprising: a computing system comprising one or morecomputing devices communicatively linked to an electrical distributiongrid via an information network, wherein the one or more computingdevices: receive current condition information from devices in theelectrical distribution grid via the information network; determine oneor more premises in the electrical distribution grid for inclusion in amicro-grid based on the current condition information; and controlswitching elements in the electrical distribution grid to electricallyisolate the one or more premises from the electrical distribution grid.11. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more premises comprisinga home area network communicatively linking one or more of the devicesto the information network.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein thedetermining the one or more premises for inclusion in a micro-gridcomprises determining a forecast of near-term conditions in theelectrical distribution grid based on the current condition information,historical information, and forecast information.
 13. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the devices communicate using Session InitiationProtocol (SIP) messages.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein the one ormore computing devices comprises a micro-grid manager that registerswith a presence server corresponding to the micro-grid, and subscribesto messages published by one or more of the devices in the micro-grid.15. The system of claim 12, wherein the devices communicate usingMessage Queue Telemetry Transport (MQTT) messages.
 16. A computerprogram product for configuring micro-grids, the computer programproduct comprising: one or more computer-readable storage mediums;program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or morecomputer-readable storage mediums, to electrically isolate one or morepremises into a micro-grid within an electrical distribution grid;program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or morecomputer-readable storage mediums, to subscribe to devices in a homearea network of the one or more premises; and program instructions,stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable storagemediums, to modify power flow in the micro-grid based on currentcondition information provided from the devices via the home areanetwork.
 17. The computer program product of claim 16, furthercomprising: program instructions, stored on at least one of the one ormore computer-readable storage mediums, to determine a forecast ofnear-term conditions in the electrical distribution grid based on thecurrent condition information, historical information, and forecastinformation; and program instructions operate in real time.
 18. Thecomputer program product of claim 16, wherein electrically isolating theone or more premises into the micro-grid comprises validating aswitching plan by verifying the micro-grid will be viable oncedisconnected from the electrical distribution grid and controllingswitching elements in the electrical distribution grid to electricallyisolate the premises from a remainder of the electrical distributiongrid.
 19. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein: the homearea network communicates using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)messages; and subscribing to the devices in the home area network of thepremises comprises registering with a SIP registrar.
 20. The computerprogram product of claim 16, wherein the devices communicate usingMessage Queue Telemetry Transport (MQTT) messages.
 21. The computerprogram product of claim 16, wherein controlling the power flowcomprises issuing control messages to the micro grid that causes anenergy resource in the micro-grid to increase energy output.
 22. Acomputer system for configuring micro-grids in an electricaldistribution grid, the system comprising: one or more processors, one ormore computer-readable memories and one or more computer-readablestorage mediums; program instructions, stored on at least one of the oneor more computer-readable storage mediums for execution by at least oneof the one or more processors via at least one of the one or morememories, to receive current condition information from a plurality ofhome area networks in premises of an electrical distribution grid;program instructions, stored on at least one of the one or morecomputer-readable storage mediums for execution by at least one of theone or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories, todetermine configuration information for the electrical distributiongrid, the configuration information providing a topology of theelectrical distribution grid to form a micro-grid, wherein themicro-grid is an electrically isolated portion of the electricaldistribution grid that comprises one or more of the premises; programinstructions, stored on at least one of the one or morecomputer-readable storage mediums for execution by at least one of theone or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories, tocontrol switching elements in the electrical distribution grid based onthe configuration information; program instructions, stored on at leastone of the one or more computer-readable storage mediums for executionby at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of theone or more memories, to exchange information with energy resources andenergy consuming devices in one or more of the home area networks in themicro-grid; and program instructions, stored on at least one of the oneor more computer-readable storage mediums for execution by at least oneof the one or more processors via at least one of the one or morememories, to control power flow between the energy resources and theenergy consuming devices.
 23. The computer system of claim 22, whereinthe determining configuration information for the electricaldistribution grid comprises determining a forecast of near-termconditions in the electrical distribution grid based on the currentcondition information, historical information, and forecast information.24. The computer system of claim 22, wherein the exchanging informationwith energy resources in the micro-grid and the energy consuming devicesin one or more of the home area networks comprises: registering with aSIP registrar corresponding to the one or more of the home area networksin the micro-grid; and subscribing to SIP messages of the energyresources and the energy consuming devices in the one or more home areanetworks.
 25. A method of deploying a system for configuring micro-gridsin an electrical distribution grid, comprising: providing a computerinfrastructure, being operable to: subscribe to devices registered witha presence server corresponding to a micro-grid; receive currentcondition information published in messages by the devices via thepresence server; determine whether total power generated within themicro-grid will exceed power demanded within the micro-grid; transmitcontrol messages to one or more of the devices via the presence serverthat cause the one or more devices to modify power provided or consumedby the one or more of the devices based on the determining; and transmitcontrol messages to one or more control devices to modify a topology ofthe electrical distribution grid to add one or more additional devicesto the micro-grid.